Red Cliffs Cricket Association round 3 preview

THE rain messed with all RCCA matches in round 2, so for Tempy it’s now two games in a row without a result.

At least this week, barring any further interference from Mother Nature, the grand final rematch should go ahead at Tempy.

After six wickets in nine games last season, Tempy’s Ryan Monaghan has almost already surpassed that mark, taking the round’s best figures of 4/17 against Ouyen in the opening game.

The batting order haven’t had a great opportunity to push their case, with rain washing out their contest, but Ryan McKay, Jace Monaghan and Ben Mole all finished inside the top 10 scorers in 2020-21.

For Ridge, gun all-rounder Shannon Bowen started the season taking 2/8 and followed up with an unbeaten 44 against Millewa, while Dave Tanner (3/19) and Kurt Freer (2/10) also impressed with the ball.

This will be the game of the round.

Cardross v Millewa

IT’s always hard to know exactly where you stand after one game, especially with the second round washed out, but Cardross would be feeling pretty good on the back of their seven-wicket win over new boys Robinvale Euston in their opening clash.

Jeremy and Ben Aworth combined for 73 runs at the top of the order, with the latter also taking three wickets against the Rangers. Although he sprayed the ball a couple of times, finishing with six wides, Noah Lanigan was also impressive with 2/16.

Millewa were soundly beaten by Nursery Ridge in game one by 10 wickets, managing just 62, but we know they have scoring power with Scottie Clark and Tim Plumridge at the crease.

Clark, Nick Clark and Matt Daly were all among the wicket takers last year and some early scalps could put the pressure back on the home side.

Ouyen Rams v Robinvale Euston

RAIN last week meant Robinvale Euston’s first game back at Riverside Park’s Len Arnott Oval in 16 years has been put on hold until next week.

The Rangers were knocked over for 90 in the opening game against Cardross, only batting for just under 25 overs, but with the likes of Jesse McGinty and Travis Shawcross inside the top five, the away side still boast plenty of scoring power.

Tim Lister can also score at the top of the order, while Tom and James Zappia were among the wicket takers last week.

In their abandoned round 1 game, the Rams made 7/129 in their 35 overs, with keeper Dom Leach making an unbeaten 32 and opener Ethan Munro scoring 30. Alex Morrish then struck twice before the heavens opened up.

The preliminary finalists from last season will start favouites but the Rangers could spring a surprise.